(COLUMBUS, Ohio) November 20, 2020 —Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today released the Children Services Transformation Advisory Council’s final report, which includes recommendations for reforming Ohio’s children services system.
“We must give our most vulnerable children the opportunities they deserve to live fulfilling lives, and these recommendations are a crucial step toward accomplishing that,” said Governor DeWine. “I am grateful for the advisory council’s hard work and commitment, along with the hundreds of Ohioans who provided their personal testimonies. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Ohio’s children and families.”
The advisory council, formed late last year, is made up of a wide range of families, youth, and subject matter experts from across the state. From November 2019 to January 2020, members held 10 forums to hear from hundreds of Ohioans about their experiences with the children services system and their ideas for its improvement.
The 37 recommendations address:
- Prevention
- Workforce
- Practice
- Kinship
- Foster Care
- Adoption
- Juvenile Justice
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will now prioritize implementation of these recommendations, ensuring lasting change for Ohio’s children and families.
“As Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, I am 100 percent committed to the advisory council’s recommendations,” said Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Kim Hall. “This work will require continued collaboration and partnerships from those with lived experience, subject matter experts, and elected officials. I look forward to the next phase of this process.”
